jj0109

A post about Colombia has been split and moved to the Mexico/Latin/South America regional forum, topic title "How Long Will This Take at Bogota?  [split topic]."  Duplicate post in another Philippines thread has been removed.  Please post only once on a single topic.

My wife's experience with the Bogota embassy was over 3 years ago so I'm not sure how helpful our experience is to your situation. As I recall, there was about 6-7 weeks delay from interview to having the passport and CR2 visa in hand, but that was primarily due to a system wide failure of a background check system. It was a worldwide system failure, not a Bogota failure. Had it not been for that, she probably would have sailed through in about 2 weeks.
 
We found Bogota embassy to be mostly responsive. We called multiple times and they answered our questions. We didn't have an RFE, like you, so our situation was a little different.
 
For more recent reviews of the Bogota embassy, I would click on the Colombia portal and then click on "Consulate Reviews". Good luck.
https://www.visajourney.com/portals/index.php?country=Colombia

Visa approved :)! 
Consulate : Bogota Colombia! 
 
Will be writing a review soon !
 
best of luck to everyone lovelies !!!

Im a US citizen and FT lauderdale immigration has by far the longest lines if you arrive at the wrong time. I waited for almost 3 hours one time. Miami is a long wait as well sometimes. There is a high volume of people who fly in. I can't speak to what the process is like in Ft. Lauderdale for non-citizens or prospective residents. I don't think they are rude, I just think they are understaffed and have a huge workload. Try flying in during off hours. Most of the Europe flights pour out from 3:00-6:00 so those hours are worst. Mornings usually aren't to bad. Hope this helps. 
Yes, God is good! We are praying and trusting that he brings us through this long process and that we finish SOON! So close and yet still waiting. Hoping for CC this week Best of luck and prayers to you!

As I think that all of the VJ members that are going to go thru this process in Colombia are going to find this useful, I´m sharing a FULL experience of my process here:
@Mariacol read it well and share it with everyone you think that will need information!
 
Full Bogota Medical and Biometrics Review of my process here, any further question , please metion me and ask, or PV me!
 
http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/view-dos-cis-reviews.php?entry=24510
 
Full Text also here:
 
FULL REVIEW OF MEDICALS BIOMETRICS AND INTERVIEW IN BOGOTA COLOMBIA!
 
BLOOD EXAMS (Aug 6 2018) :
YOU DON´T SCHEDULE the date it´s given in the doctor´s email after scheduled appointment for medicals! It´s with 2 days minimum before (due to ghonorrea new exam who take 2 days for the results).
I arrived early at 7 am at Laboratorio e Instituto Clínico (again...really, but the name is in Spanish guys) they let me in and picked up my passport and 1 photo 5x5 , they asked me to pay $420.000 Colombian Pesos and a photocopy of the Biographic page of the passport (all the photos with the name written in the back).They they made me pee in a recipient, after that the blood test, and then Xray and the results they deliver it directly to the doctor and that was all!
 
MEDICALS (Aug 8 2018) :
Medicals were with Dr Jairo Roa at Centro Médico de la Sabana (I know, no Spanish, but that´s the name)🙄 My date was at 6:30 PM but they say showtime is like 1 and a half hour earlier, I arrived at 5 PM, they let me in asking me for the hour of the date and the doctor, then asked me to go to 3rd floor, and turned left, then another couple of ladies in a desk took again my passport and asked me my name again, and let me in thru one door, then there are guess what?....yes...another couple of ladies in another desk, took my passport again, and delivered to me a paper with instructions o f what to place inside the passport ( 4 Photos 5x5 ,vaccination record, one sheet with your data, they say what data they need in the e-mail that you receive after schedule medicals and for the womans how many childrens and how old are them), I delivered the required things and she then asked me for the Physical exam fee in cash, in Colombian pesos, it cost $245.000 (at this date Aug 8, it may change) , I gave her the money and then she let me in! After that I was required to go to a hall and then a lady took my height, temperature and measured my eyes sight!
Then was the physical exam, I was required to stay in underwear then the doctor entered and performanced the exam, was really fast, blood pressure, my reflexes and so, then checked my vaccination record and asked me 3 vaccines (Tetanos, Chickenpox and 2018 Influenza) the cost were $ 265.000 COP (a this date Aug 8), and that was all on August 10 I picked up those results in a sealed folder, another folder with my chest X ray and another big paper with my updated vaccination record!
 
BIOMETRICS (Aug 15 2018) :
The biometrics things was very smooth, present the DS260 they scanned 3 times, asked for my name, my passport, then i went to a window, the lady took a picture at me, took 4 left hand fingerprints, the same with right hand, and after that both pulgares fingers (the fat ones, I didn´t remember how to say it in English), then she printed a Sticker with a barcode with my data, Interview Date Passport number etc and delivered to me (in total since I entered to went out with everything only took 7 minutes)!
 
 
Interview (August 22, 2018) :
 
We arrived early at the embassy, around 6 and 30 AM and there were already many people waiting outside for them to send in, my appointment was at 8 AM, for a perfectly audible audio (even with the noise of the cars) They warned that THE RESIDENT'S VISAS did not matter the time they COULD go through and make the line at number 3, my wife and I went in and they sent us immediately to enter, they asked me who was asking (my wife) and they started asking me for the documents ( my and my wife's birth certificate, marriage certificate and Colombian criminal record). They organized them inside the passport and both my wife and I were given a green sticker with the initials IV of Immigrant Visa and we went through security, we turned off our cell phones, and passed, they directed us to a central table where some very nice collaborators reviewed us the documents again and they sent us to sit for the prints, we waited for 10 minutes my wife and I talking and they called me, they asked me for the documents and the passport again and they checked them, they gave me a shift number (23) in my case and they sent us to wait for the interview, there we waited a little more time talking until another collaborator called the numbers (3 in 3) and it was our turn, we waited a few minutes until they finished the people who were interviewing and as the windows were emptying were happening (there are 6 for the immigrant) I corresponded the window 3, a very cordial boy interviewed us, reviewed the documents thoroughly one by one and asked me how long I had lived in Cuba , I answered that 27 and then he told me to give him the original Cuban criminal record, I gave it to him, and the questions began:
(of the relationship):
1- How and when did you meet?
2- When did you get married?
3- How many times did your wife visit you before getting married?
And that was all about the relationship.
He asked me other questions that are asked of those who come from a communist country.
1- Did you belong to the Cuban Communist Party?
2- Did you have any governmental position in Cuba?
And no more questions.
Then he extended the domestic violence document and told me to read it to see my rights as a future permanent resident of the United States of America, put my passport next to the general papers, returned many papers that I had sent to the NVC and USCIS and Then he told me to send them 2 documents that I had not taken and that I needed to finish the process, and they gave me the precise instructions for the shipment (it was in the same place of the Applicant Service Center), I am already waiting to be notified to Pick up my passport with the visa inside.
And that was it, very simple and very fast!

The secretary of Dr. Roa will send you an email right after you talk on the phone and sends you all info you need, so i really liked that. It said we needed about 7 in total. I do not have my original vaccination records, i took a picture of them before throwing them away haha, hope they'll accept that 😛 about $350.000 for vaccines but subject to change depending how many we need -.-

You’re welcome!
And just so you know about Medicals, I wanted to book with Dr. Dennis but the secretary insisted me to book an appointment for blood tests. I called the blood tests clinic and a very rude lady told me it’s a walk in thing. So I called Dennis back again and she wouldn’t take that as an answer..so I went ahead and booked with Dr. Roa, I currently spoke to someone having a physical exam last week with him and all was good and normal. Kinda sad about being unable to book with Dr. Dennis but everything happens for a reason .. ☺️

Hey! So we got case complete yesterday! So excited! But I got an email today that they need a different Colombia police certificate. My wife got hers offline in the only way she knew how to. Do you mind telling me how and where you got your Colombia police certificate? Thank you!!

Congratulations !!
That's the one! I got the same email about my Colombian and Australian police certificates..i freaked out.
It's like a reminder. just get a new one the day before the interview.
It took me 7 days to get email with Interview date after approval so you guys should get yours soon!

Hey! So we got case complete yesterday! So excited! But I got an email today that they need a different Colombia police certificate. My wife got hers offline in the only way she knew how to. Do you mind telling me how and where you got your Colombia police certificate? Thank you!!

Gracias!!! I'll keep you updated   
Thank you  😘 

Hi guys!
 
I’ve got interview date !!! September 17th
Bogota, Colombia 
7 days after CC !!
Happy! But I also got my heart out of my chest from excitement!!! 😅

Wow! Can't believe it! Will call them as soon as my husband wakes up lol 

Ok then we’ve got ourselves a deal, good luck

Oh yes I have just noticed it! Haha we’ll keep each other updated then!  x

Hi there. I’ll be interview in Bogota as well. I have a lawyer and she sent documents but no photos etc, but I will at the day of interview.
I’ve received my case number after 9 weeks. 3 days for welcome letter and as soon as I logged in ceac I was able to pay both fees. Ceac went down but our documents have been sent anyways. Today ceac came back up online and I was able to fill out my ds260 however I’m reviewing it with my lawyer to make sure all is safe and sound, also we did not call nvc to inquire when they’ve received our documents, we’ll just let things flow and be positive 

Congrats I'm still waiting for case number monday will be eighth weeks mark for me I would wait if you send any documents before they ask you I heard it will delay your case

Yes we did include more evidence of bonafide marital relationship in our iv package under other supporting documents.
 
Mailing out your aos/iv package now will have no effect on your case because your documents will not be reviewed until you have completed your ds260. I will advise you wait for your ds 260 to become accessible before mailing out your aos/iv package to NVC. 
 
Speedy CC for you.

No, it doesn't have a barcode. Only the ones sent from NVC would have a barcode on it.

THe older version of the I-864 had a barcode. Current version doesn’t.

Yes, it is important.. he/she must have above poverty guideline income for last 3 years. Or atleast 2 years

I would recomment take your time and find some other joint sponser as it is really important step. We took almost 10,11 months.

Hi. I’m also in Colombia but I’m applying with my Italian passport. My NVC received date is May 15th, today marks my 7th week waiting for a case and invoice number. Colombia is non-pivot and I often use Dhl to send/receive documents and with the express service it takes only 3 business days. I’m just waiting with all my documents ready and translated to take the next step, that’s all I can tell ya from my part

Nvc is much more easier,the welcome letter will guide you.
 
You are going to wait 9-10weeks to get your welcome letter since Colombia is non pivot but you should start calling NVC in the 7th week